Remote view and controller for a camera

ABSTRACT

A device operable with a camera is disclosed which includes a display screen, remote from the camera, and a processor for receiving an image signal of the field of view of the camera and for displaying an image of the field of view of the camera on the display screen. The device communicates with and controls certain camera functions to allow a photographic or video image to be framed and taken from a location remote from the camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of photography, and inparticular to a view and camera controller that is remote from thecamera.

2. Description of the Related Art

Whether single lens reflex (“SLR”) or digital formats, cameras havebecome common household items. Camera technology has evolved to thepoint where cameras fit within the palm of a hand and may be easily andconveniently carried and accessed for taking photographs. However, adrawback to conventional cameras is typically a person needs to bebehind a camera to line up the camera view, zoom to the properperspective, frame the photo, and take the photo. Consequently thatperson may not be able to be in the photo.

In populated areas, this drawback is often overcome by imposing onstrangers by asking them to take a photograph. In addition to theimposition, the stranger is often ill-equipped to operate the cameraand/or take advantage of the various camera features. Similarly, thestranger may not understand what the photograph is to encompass as faras zoom and background.

Additionally, when in private, or in an otherwise unpopulated area,imposing on others to take the photograph may not be an option. In thatinstance, a person taking the photograph may not also be in thephotograph. One solution to this problem is the inclusion of a timer insome cameras. In this instance, a person may set up the photograph view,zoom and frame, and then set a timer to give the individual time to movefrom behind the camera to be within the photograph. However, timers arestill inconvenient to use, and the subject moving from behind the camerainto the photo may not properly position themselves in the desiredposition within the photograph.

Mobile telephones, personal digital assistants and computers are alsobecome household devices. Conventionally, mobile telephones and otherdevices have not been used to view an image seen by a camera, nor havemobile telephones and the like been used to control camera operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a device operable with acamera, video camcorder, webcam, mobile telephone or otherimage-capturing device (all hereinafter referred to as a “camera'). Thedevice includes a display screen, remote from the camera, and aprocessor for receiving an image signal of the field of view of thecamera and for displaying an image of the field of view of the camera onthe display screen. In embodiments, the device may communicate with anactuation table on which the camera is mounted for pivoting theactuation table and camera left and right and up and down to properlyframe a photo or image being captured by the camera. In embodiments, theactuation table may be omitted and the camera itself respondselectronically and/or mechanically to the communication from the deviceto properly frame the photo or image. The device may further include azoom control for zooming the camera field of view in and out, as well asa button causing the camera to take a picture.

In embodiments, the device may be a dedicated component. In analternative embodiment, the device may be a multipurpose deviceconfigured to receive and display an image from the camera field ofview, and to control certain camera functions. Such multipurpose devicesinclude but are not limited to a mobile telephone, a personal digitalassistant, hand-held computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, atablet computer and/or another camera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to thedrawings.

FIG. 1 is the perspective view of a camera taking a photograph with aremote view and control device according to embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the view and control device according toembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a camera and actuation table according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a camera and actuation table according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the interior of an actuation table accordingto embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the interior of an actuation table according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the interior of a drive housing according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment of a support structure for useas an alternative to a tripod.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views of a camera having a lens capable ofleft/right tilt and/or up/down tilt relative to a camera housing inwhich the lens is supported.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a camera, actuation table and view andcontrol unit according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view of a camera and handheld device configured as a viewand control unit according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a mobile telephone for performing as a viewand control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a camera and handheld device configured asa view and control unit according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for loading software to configure a hand-helddevice as a view and control unit.

FIG. 14 is block diagram of the software operation according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the operation of a telephone including aview and control mode according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a camera and several devices which may beconfigured to operate as a view and control unit according toembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1through 16, which embodiments of the present invention relate to acamera view and controller unit (“VCU”). It is understood that thepresent invention may be embodied in many different forms and should notbe construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete and will fully convey the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Indeed, the invention is intended to coveralternatives, modifications and equivalents of these embodiments, whichare included within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined bythe appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed descriptionof the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.However, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without such specific details.

Referring now to the perspective view of FIG. 1, there are shownsubjects 100 in front of a camera 102. One of the subjects is holding aVCU 104 as explained hereinafter. Camera 102 may include any componentsknown for inclusion in a camera, plus a communication system forcommunicating with VCU 104 as explained hereinafter. Camera 102 may be adigital camera, but it is contemplated that camera 102 is a SLR camera,video camcorder, webcam, mobile telephone or other image-capturingdevice in alternative embodiments. Camera 102 may operate with a flash,or not, and may have any known lens for use with cameras. Camera 102 mayhave a built in lens, or be configured to work with a variety ofdetachable lenses.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, VCU 104 allows a subject 100 to stand infront of camera 102, i.e., within the field of view of the camera, whileat the same time viewing the camera field of view and controlling camerafunction and operation. In particular, VCU 104 may include an LCD screen106 for showing the field of view seen by the camera, and zoom in/outpushbutton 108, pan left/right pushbutton 110 and pan up/down pushbutton112. The buttons 108, 110 and 112 are provided for changing aperspective of the camera by zooming the camera lens in or out, tiltingthe camera left or right or tilting the camera up or down, respectively.The actions affected by each of the buttons 108, 110 and 112 arecommunicated to camera 102 via wireless protocols explained hereinafter.

VCU 104 may have a form factor so as to be held comfortably in a singlehand, though the length, width and depth of the unit may vary inalternative embodiments. The VCU 104 may be approximately the same sizeor smaller than the camera 102. VCU may have an outer housing formed ofmetal, plastic of other durable, protective material.

When standing in front of the camera mounted on a tripod or otherwisesupported on a surface, the camera's field of view may not be positionedas desired for a particular photograph or video image. It may be desiredto tilt the camera left or right and/or up or down, so as to properlycapture the subjects 100 as well as the desired background. Camera 102may therefore be mounted on an actuation table 114 as shown for examplein FIGS. 3 and 4. An embodiment of actuation table 114 is describedhereinafter, but it is understood that a variety of mechanisms may beprovided for pivoting camera 102 about two axes in order to tilt thecamera left and right and up and down.

Conventional cameras may be mounted on a tripod 120 as shown in FIG. 1.Actuation table 114 may include an opening on its bottom surface toattach to the tripod in the same manner as camera 102 attaches to thetripod. For example, a bottom surface of actuation table 114 may includea threaded bore (not shown) for screwing onto tripod 120. It isunderstood that actuation table 114 may include any mounting scheme usedto mount cameras to tripods.

Similarly, actuation table may include a vertical shaft 150 emanatingfrom a top of the actuation table onto which the camera 102 may beaffixed. Camera 102 may affix to vertical shaft 150 in the same manneras camera 102 affixes to tripod 120. For example, vertical shaft 150 mayinclude a threaded end for mating within a threaded bore formed within abottom surface of camera 102. It is understood that vertical shaft 150may include any mounting scheme used to mount tripods to cameras.

Internal components for pivoting camera 102 about two axes according toone embodiment are shown in FIGS. 5-7. Perpendicular x, y, z axes areindicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, with an x-y plane being a horizontal planeand z being a vertical axis (it is understood that the actuation tableand camera 102 need not be mounted along these axes). Mounted on thebottom of camera 102 in an x-y plane, the actuation table is capable ofpivoting camera 102 about the x axis to tilt camera 102 up and down, andabout the z axis to tilt camera 102 left and right.

An embodiment of actuation table 114 includes a horizontal shaft 152extending along the x-axis and fixedly mounted within the actuationtable, to opposed internal ends of the actuation table. A drive housing154 is pivotally mounted to horizontal shaft 152. Vertical shaft 150 ispivotally mounted within the drive housing and extends along the z-axisfrom the drive housing 154. Referring to FIG. 7, drive housing 154includes an x-axis drive 158 and a z-axis drive 160. X-axis drive 158may be a reversible motor of known construction, including bearings 162for rotationally supporting x-axis drive 158 on horizontal shaft 152,and a stator for receiving an electric current. The horizontal shaft 152may be a rotor running through the drive's stator. Upon current to thestator, x-axis drive 158 controllably pivots drive housing 154 about thex-axis, to tilt the actuation table 114 and camera 102 up or down.

Z-axis drive 160 may be a reversible motor of known construction,including bearings 166 for rotationally supporting vertical shaft 150within drive housing 154, and a stator for receiving an electriccurrent. The vertical shaft 150 may be a rotor running through thedrive's stator. Upon current to the stator, z-axis drive 160 pivotsvertical shaft 150 about the z-axis, to tilt the actuation table 114 andcamera 102 left or right, independently of the x-axis drive 158.

Drive housing 154 may include a variety of other components inalternative embodiments. One or both of drives 158, 160 may additionallyor alternatively include one or more gears or a planetary gear system topivot the housing 154 and/or vertical shaft 150 about its respectiveaxis. Drive housing may additionally include electromagneticinterference (EMI) shielding to shield the respective drives 158, 160from each other. The size of the drives 158, 160 may vary in alternativeembodiments of the invention.

Those of skill in the art would appreciate other drive mechanisms forachieving independent pivoting of camera 102 about the x and z axes. Forexample, it is contemplated that camera 102 be affixed to the actuationtable with a ball and socket arrangement between the table and camera.The movement of the camera on the ball of the actuation table may becontrolled with various drives and control mechanisms. While theembodiment of actuation table 114 may be mounted horizontally beneathcamera 102, it is conceivable some manner of actuation table 114 may bemounted vertically to a vertical surface of camera 102. Again, variousknown drive mechanisms would be known to those of skill in the art forsuch an embodiment.

The present invention may operate without the tripod 120. In such anembodiment, a bottom portion of actuation table 114 may simply rest onan arbitrary surface selected by the subject. For such embodiments, thecamera 102 may be mounted to the actuation table 114, and may pivotabout a pair of axes, as described above.

The arbitrary surface selected by the user may not be flat. Therefore,in a further embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the actuation table may have anadaptive surface 180 on its lower surface. Adaptive surface 180 may havea shape capable of conforming to an arbitrary surface on which theactuation table and camera may be positioned. This allows the actuationtable and camera to be supported on an arbitrary surface in a stable andcontrolled position. Adaptive surface 180 may for example be deformable,and have a plurality of beads within an interior cavity as is known inthe art, which beads allow the surface 180 to adapt in shape toarbitrary surfaces. Other configurations for allowing a lower surface ofactuation table 114 to conform to an arbitrary surface are known.

In a further embodiment, it is understood the actuation table 114 may beomitted. In such embodiments the camera 102 may be stationarilypositioned on a tripod or an arbitrary surface. In such embodiments, theleft/right and up/down fields of view may be set and do not change.Alternatively, the left/right and up/down fields may be adjustedelectronically as explained hereinafter. Where the actuation table isomitted, the bottom portion of the camera may be supported directly onan arbitrary surface. Alternatively, the adaptive surface 180 may beprovided on a bottom surface of camera 102 to support the camera in astable and controllable position.

It is conceivable that, instead of an actuation table, camera 102 itselfis capable of adjusting the field of view up or down and/or left orright. This can be accomplished optically, electronically, mechanicallyor some combination of optics, electronics, and mechanics. In a firstembodiment, the camera may include a wide view lens that receives a wideview which is captured on the image sensor. The VCU is used to instructthe camera to adjust/shift the field of view in a particular direction(i.e., up or down, left or right, zoom in or out). The camera's opticsand/or electronics cause the lens to refocuses as instructed by the VCU.The camera advantageously reallocates the image capturing elements(typically referred to as pixels) to capture the selected image with ahigh degree of clarity and focus.

In such embodiments, the VCU display 106 may display an image generallythe size and composition of a photograph or video image if taken at thattime. As indicated, the actual image capturing element may have captureda larger image than displayed. As the captured image is larger than thefield of view image, the field of view of the image may beelectronically adjusted/shifted up or down, left or right, or zoomed inor out using the actuators on the VCU 104.

Alternatively, the VCU display 106 may display the entire capturedimage, i.e., a larger view than the size of a photograph or video image.In such an embodiment, the display may further include a graphicalrectangle or other visual indicator generally representing the boundaryof a photograph or video image field of view if taken at that time. Theposition of the graphical rectangle can be adjusted/shifted up or down,left or right, or zoomed in or out on the display 106 using theactuators on the VCU 104 to electronically adjust/shift the field ofview of the image up or down, left or right, or in or out.

In another embodiment, the camera may include additional image capturingelements that allows the camera's optics to capture a portion orportions of an image around the periphery of the camera's nominal fieldof view. As the VCU instructs the camera to adjust/shift in a particulardirection (i.e., up, down, left or right, zoom in or out), the camerautilizes those additional image capturing elements to capture theportions of the images that are added as a result of the adjustment orshift.

In other embodiment, the camera may utilize the image capturing elementsthat become obsolete as a result of an instructed adjustment. As the VCUinstructs the camera to adjust/shift in a particular direction (i.e.,up, down, left, right, zoom in or out) and away from its nominal fieldof view, the camera's optics and microprocessor can advantageouslyutilize those image capturing elements that will become unused when thefield of view adjust/shift in a particular direction to capture theportions of the images that are added as a result of theadjustment/shift.

It is understood that some combination of additional image capturingelements and obsolete image capturing elements may be use to achieve thedesign goals of the present invention.

In another embodiment, motors may be used. For example, a lens capableof left/right tilt and/or up/down tilt relative to a camera housing inwhich the lens is supported. An example of such an embodiment is shownin FIGS. 8A and 8B. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the camera and lens are shown inphantom for clarity of a lens actuation assembly 180. Lens actuationassembly 180 may include a plate 182 with an aperture for detachablyreceiving the camera lens. Plate 182 may be pivotally mounted to a frame184 via a shaft 186 so as to pivot around the z-axis. The shaft 186 maybe pivotally mounted within a reversible drive 188 to controllablyaffect rotation of the plate 182 and the camera lens about the z-axis totilt the lens left and right relative to the camera housing 190.

The frame 184 is in turn fixedly mounted to a shaft 192 pivotallymounted within housing 190 to a support 194 at one end and a secondreversible drive 196 mounted to the housing 190 at its opposite end. Thereversible drive 196 controllably affects rotation of shaft 192, frame184 and the camera lens about the x-axis to tilt the lens up and downrelative to the camera housing 190. Those of skill in the art wouldappreciate other assemblies for tilting the lens with respect to thecamera housing.

Referring again to FIG. 2, VCU 104 may include zoom pushbutton 108,left/right pushbutton 110 and up/down pushbutton 112. Upon actuation ofpushbutton 108, a signal may be sent to camera 102 as explainedhereinafter to elongate or shorten the position of the camera lens toaffect a zoom in or zoom out of the field of view. Apart from the mannerin which the signal may be sent to affect a lens zoom, the pushbutton108 may operate in the same manner as the zoom button on a conventionalcamera.

Upon actuation of pushbutton 110, a signal may be sent to actuationtable 114 as explained hereinafter actuating z-axis drive 160 to tiltthe actuation table 114 and camera 102 left or right. Pushing on theleft side of pushbutton 110 may tilt the camera to left, and pushing onthe right side of pushbutton 110 may tilt the camera to the right. Thesedirections may be reversed in alternative embodiments. The pushbutton110 may be selectively actuated until the desired left/right field ofview is captured by the camera 102.

Similarly, upon actuation of pushbutton 112, a signal may be sent toactuation table 114 as explained hereinafter actuating x-axis drive 158to tilt the actuation table 114 and camera 102 up or down. Pushing onthe top side of pushbutton 112 may tilt the camera up, and pushing onthe bottom side of pushbutton 112 may tilt the camera down. Thesedirections may be reversed in alternative embodiments. The pushbutton112 may be selectively actuated until the desired up/down field of viewis captured by the camera 102.

While pushbuttons are shown, those of skill in the art would appreciatethat the above described functions of pushbuttons 108-112 may beaccomplished by various other mechanisms, such as dials, slide levers,switches, other types of buttons, etc.

In conventional cameras, a field of view image as seen by a camera istransmitted and displayed on an LCD screen on a back side of the camera.As explained hereinafter, this same field of view image is transmittedto VCU 104 and displayed on LCD 106. Thus, in embodiments, the LCDscreen 106 on VCU 104 shows the same image as shown on the LCD screen onthe back of the camera. As the field of view image of the camera isadjusted by pushbuttons 108, 110 and/or 112 as explained above, theimage shown on LCD 106 changes accordingly.

Once the proper zoom, left/right pan and up/down pan has been selectedfor a photo, as shown by the field of view displayed on LCD screen 106,a button 118 on VCU 104 may be actuated to send a signal to camera 102to take a picture (i.e., capture the image shown on LCD screen 106 andsave to memory). It is known that the lens may be autofocused on animage seen by the lens upon partially depressing the picture-takingbutton in a conventional camera. In the same manner, partiallydepressing button 118 may send a signal to the camera 102 causing thelens to autofocus on the image seen by the camera 102.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the arrangement ofcomponents 106, 108, 110, 112 and 118 on VCU 104 shown in FIG. 2 is oneof many possible arrangement of those components on VCU 104. VCU 104includes a back surface (not shown), opposite the surface shown in FIG.2. The back surface may be blank, or may include an inscription,corporate logo or a plurality of aesthetic designs. Alternatively, oneor more of the buttons 108, 110, 112 and 118 may be provided on the backsurface, or on one of the edges between the front and back surface, inalternative embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a camera 102, actuation table 114 and VCU104 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows anembodiment of the invention where camera 102 is a digital camera, andincludes components provided within a conventional digital camera. FIG.9 is a simplified block diagram of components within the camera 102, andit is understood that a variety of other components found withinconventional digital cameras may be provided in addition to or insteadof some of the components shown within camera 102 in alternativeembodiments.

However, in general, digital camera may include an image processor 200which receives image data from an image sensor 202, which captures animage through a lens 204. Image sensor 202 may be a charge coupleddevice (CCD) capable of converting light into an electric charge. Otherdevices, including complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)sensors, may be used for capturing information relating to an image. Ananalog-to-digital converter (not shown) may be employed to convert thedata collected by the sensor 202. The zoom for the image is controlledby a motor 206 and zoom 208 in a known manner upon receipt of a signalfrom the processor 200. The image may be captured by the image sensorupon actuation of the shutter 210 via a motor 212 in a known manner uponreceipt of a signal from the processor 200.

Images captured by the image sensor 202 may be stored by the imageprocessor 200 in memory 216. A variety of digital memory formats areknown for this purpose. In one embodiment, memory 216 may be a removableflash memory card, such as those manufactured by SanDisk Corporation ofSunnyvale, Calif. Formats for memory 216 include, but are not limitedto: built-in memory, Smart Media cards, Compact Flash cards, MemorySticks, floppy disks, hard disks, and writeable CDs and DVDs.

A USB connection 218 may be provided for allowing connection of thecamera 102 to another device, such as for example a computer. It isunderstood that other types of connections may be provided, includingserial, parallel, SCSI and an IEEE 1394 (“Firewire”) connections. Theconnection 218 allows transfer of digital information between the memory216 and another device. The digital information may be digitalphotographs, video images, or software such as application programs,application program interfaces, updates, patches, etc.

A user interface 220 of known design may also be provided on camera 102.The user interface may include various buttons, dials, switches, etc.for controlling camera features and operation. The user interface mayinclude a zoom button or dial for affecting a zoom of lens 204 via theimage processor 200. The user interface 220 may further include amechanism for selecting a mode of operation of the camera 102 (i.e.,stored picture review mode, picture taking mode, video mode, autofocus,manual focus, flash or no flash, etc.). The user interface may alsocause various menu items to be displayed on LCD screen 230 describedhereinafter for controlling camera functions such as deleting storedphotos, changing picture resolution, etc.).

The image captured by the image sensor 202 may be forwarded by the imageprocessor 200 to an LCD 230 positioned on the camera 102 via an LCDcontroller interface 232. LCD 230 and LCD controller 232 are known inthe art. The LCD controller interface 232 may be part of processor 200in embodiments.

Camera 102 further includes a communications interface 240 fortransmitting signals between camera 102 and VCU 104. The interface 240,and complimentary communications interface 260 on VCU 104 andcommunications interface 280 on actuation table 114, may operateaccording to a variety of known wireless communication protocols forwirelessly communicating signals between camera 102, actuation table 114and VCU 104.

In an embodiment, the wireless communication protocol may be theBluetooth short-range wireless protocol which uses radio waves to allowlocal connectivity between the camera 102, actuation table 114 and VCU104 in an ad hoc wireless network. The Bluetooth protocol operates usingradio waves in the 2.45 GHz frequency band (theIndustrial-Scientific-Medical (ISM) band). The Bluetooth consortium ofcompanies also developed de facto standards for the interface and thesoftware that controls it to ensure interoperability of devices fromdifferent manufacturers that are using Bluetooth communications. Furtherdetails of the Bluetooth communications system are set forth in thepapers, “Ericsson's Bluetooth Modules,” by Arfwedson and Sneddon,Ericsson Review No. 4, 1999, pp. 198-205, and “Bluetooth—The UniversalRadio Interface for Ad Hoc, Wireless Connectivity,” by Jaap Haartsen,Ericsson Review No. 3, 1998, pp. 110-117, which papers are incorporatedby reference in their entirety herein. Further details relating to theBluetooth communications system may also be found in the BluetoothSpecification at the Bluetooth website (www.bluetooth.com), whichspecification is also incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.Bluetooth has been shown capable of transmitting images. For example,Error Resilient Image Transmission over a Bluetooth Network, by Kelly etal., NUI, GALWAY FACULTY OF ENGINEERING RESEARCH DAY 2004, which is alsoincorporated by reference in its entirety herein, describes onemethodology.

Communications interface 240 sends and receives transmissions via anantenna 242. Through communications interface 240, the image that theimage processor 200 sends to the LCD controller 232 for display on LCD230 may also be sent wirelessly to the VCU 104 for display on LCD 106.Thus, the image seen by the camera lens 204 to be captured in aphotograph or video is seen on LCD 106 on VCU 104.

Image processor 200 may be configured to automatically send the imagesignal of the image seen by lens 204 to the VCU 104 when camera 102 isin use. Alternatively, once the VCU 104 is active, the VCU 104 may senda VCU present signal to the image processor 200 in camera 102, whereuponthe image processor 200 may send the image signal to the VCU 104. Whencommunicating with the VCU, the image processor 200 may send the imagesignal only to the VCU (so that the LCD 230 on camera 102 is inactive),or the image processor 200 may send the image signal to both the VCU 104and the LCD 230.

Similarly, the communications interface 240 allows the camera 102 toreceive transmissions from the VCU 104 via the communications interface240. For example, signals initiated in the VCU 104 for zooming in andout, and for snapping a photo may be received wirelessly in imageprocessor 200 via the communications interface 240.

While interaction and communications with VCU 104 are carried out incamera 102 by image processor 200, it is understood that image processor200 may handle only camera functions, and interaction and communicationwith VCU 104 be carried out by a second processor within camera 102.Such a second processor would cooperate and communicate with imageprocessor 200 to communicate the image signal to VCU 104 and communicatecontrol signals from the VCU 104 to camera 102.

While embodiments of the invention operate according to the Bluetoothspecification, it is understood that the communications interfaces inthe camera 102, VCU 104 and actuation table 114 may operate according toother wireless protocols, such as for example Wireless USB, 802.11,radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), IrDA from the Infrared DataAssociation and home RF technologies. Typically, as the camera 102 istaking a picture of the person holding the VCU 104, a clear line ofsight may be established between the camera 102 and VCU 104.

The wireless signals sent via the various communications interfacesdescribed herein may be sent via various protocols, including pulsemodulation and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). Other protocolsare contemplated. In embodiments, a first camera 102 and VCU 104 set maybe used in the presence of other camera 102 and VCU 104 sets. Therefore,in embodiments, during a configuration process, the camera 102 and VCU104 may be tuned to each other, i.e., communications between camera 102and VCU 104 may be tuned to a particular frequency. In embodiments, thetuning step may be omitted and communications would occur at a setfrequency.

Camera 102 may further include a power source 222, such as arechargeable battery as is known in the art.

It is understood that not all of the conventional components necessaryor optionally included for conventional operation of camera 102 aredescribed above. Other components, known in the art, may additionally oralternatively be included in camera 102.

VCU 104 may include a VCU processor 246 for controlling operation of theVCU 104 and for communicating with camera 102 and actuation table 114.Processor 246 may include any of various known configurations, and maybe implemented in hardware, software (firmware) or a combination ofhardware and software. The processor may have an associated read-onlymemory (ROM) (not shown) for storing a software operating system andother software. The processor may additionally have an associatedvolatile memory (not shown), such as random access memory (RAM) and/ordynamic random access memory (DRAM) to use as temporary storage duringoperation of the VCU 104.

VCU Processor 246 may communicate with a user interface 248, includingpushbuttons 108-112 and 118 described above. User interface 248 mayoptionally include a variety of other buttons, dials, switches, etc. forcontrolling camera features and operation. The user interface 248 mayinclude a mechanism for selecting a mode of operation of the camera 102.Depending on the mode of operation selected, the VCU 104 may be used toreview pictures stored on camera 102 or in memory 250 in VCU 104(explained hereinafter), or it may be used to take pictures as explainedabove. A video mode may be provided such that, upon actuation of button118 on VCU 104, the camera 102 captures a video image which may bestored in memory 216 on camera 102 and/or memory 250 in VCU 104. Theuser interface may further have mechanisms for selecting camera modessuch as autofocus, manual focus, flash or no flash, etc. The userinterface 248 may also cause various menu items to be displayed on theVCU LCD screen 106 for controlling camera and VCU functions, such asdeleting stored photos (from camera 102 and/or VCU 104), changingpicture resolution, etc.

For the manual focus mode, the user interface 248 may further include anactuator, such as a dial, which, when rotated on VCU 104, changes thefocal length between the lens 204 and the image sensor 202 in camera 102to focus the image. The actuator may for example be a dial mounted on asurface of VCU 104 opposite LCD screen 106, and may be sized to emulatethe size of an annular lens assembly mounted in camera 102.

The user interface may further include a keypad for entering textual andother character information, which information may be saved with anassociated image. This textual information may be used in the operationof VCU 104 or camera 102, or may be transmitted to a remote location asexplained hereinafter. The user interface may further include pointingdevice, such as a track ball, for controlling a cursor which may begraphically presented on LCD 106 in certain modes of operation.

In embodiments, the VCU 104 controls camera 102 to take a picture whichis then stored on camera 102. In addition to storing the image on camera102, the image captured by the camera 102 may also be stored on memory250 in VCU 104. A variety of digital memory formats may be used for thispurpose. In one embodiment, memory 250 may be a removable flash memorycard, such as those manufactured by SanDisk Corporation of Sunnyvale,Calif. Formats for memory 250 include, but are not limited to: built-inmemory, Smart Media cards, Compact Flash cards, Memory Sticks, floppydisks, hard disks, and writeable CDs and DVDs.

VCU 104 may be coupled to another device, such as a computer, totransfer data, such as photograph and video images stored on memory 250,as well as software application programs, application program interfacesand updates. A USB connection 252 may be provided for this purpose. Itis understood that other types of connections may be provided, includingserial, parallel, SCSI and an IEEE 1394 (“Firewire”) connections. Theconnection 252 may be used to connect the VCU to further devices inalternative embodiments.

As indicated above, the images received in lens 204 may be digitized andforwarded to the image processor 200, from where the digitized image maybe sent as an image signal via the communications interfaces 240, 260 toLCD 106 on VCU 104. An LCD controller interface 254 may be provided forreceiving the signal from image processor 200 and interpreting it fordisplay on LCD 106. LCD 106 and LCD controller 254 may be of knownconstruction. The LCD controller interface 254 may be part of processor246 in embodiments.

As indicated above, VCU 104 may further include a communicationsinterface 260 that sends and receives transmissions via an antenna 256.Actuation of the buttons 108 and 118, as well as other mechanismsprovided as part of user interface 248, generates signals that are sentto the VCU processor 246, which in turn forwards those signals to imageprocessor 200 in camera 102 via the communications interfaces 260 and240. Similarly, actuation of the buttons 110 and 112 generates signalsthat are sent to the VCU processor 246, which in turn forwards thosesignals to drive controller(s) 270 in actuation table 114 as explainedhereinafter via the communications interfaces 260 and 280.

Moreover, communications interface 260 may send and receivetransmissions to/from components other than camera 102 and actuationtable 114 in embodiments of the invention. For example, the VCU 104 maycommunicate with a host computer to transfer data, such as photographicand video images, as well as software such as application programs,APIs, updates, patches, etc. Communications interface 260 may also beused to communicate with other devices, such as a variety of computingdevices including hand-held computers, personal digital assistants(PDAs), mobile telephones, digital cameras and other view and controlunits 104. Communications interface 260 may be used to connect VCU 104to a variety of networks, including local area networks (LANs), widearea networks (WANs) and the Internet.

Thus, in embodiments of the invention, a photographic or video image maybe taken with camera 102, and immediately thereafter sent via thecommunications interface 260 to a remote processing device, website,email account or other network location. Text may also be sent via thekeypad of the user interface 248.

Embodiments have been described above where communication between VCU104, camera 102 and actuation table 114 is done wirelessly. In a furtherembodiment of the invention, it is understood that the VCU 104 andcamera 102, VCU 104 and actuation table 114, and/or camera 102 andactuation table 114 may be joined together by one or more electricalwires and/or cables. In such embodiments, transmissions between the VCU104, camera 102 and/or actuation table 114 may be carried out via theelectrical wires and/or cables. The wires and cables may connect toconnector 252 on VCU 104.

VCU 104 may further include a power source 258, such as a rechargeablebattery as is known in the art. Moreover, VCU 104 may include a powerup/power down switch (not shown) for activating and shutting down theVCU 104.

Actuation table 114 may be used in certain embodiments of the presentinvention to control at least portions of a field of view of camera 102.Signals generated by actuation of pushbuttons 110, 112 are sent from theVCU processor 246 through communications interface 260 to actuationtable 114 via communications interface 280 and an associated antenna272. Transmissions received in communication interface 280 are forwardedto drive controller(s) 270 which control the operation of the x-axisdrive 158 and z-axis drive 160 explained above in a known manner.

Actuation table 114 may further include a power source 274, such as arechargeable battery as is known in the art. Alternatively, theactuation table 114 may be electrically coupled to camera 102 when thecamera and actuation table are affixed together. In such embodiments,the actuation table power source 274 may be omitted, and the actuationtable instead receive power from the camera power source 222.

In embodiments where actuation table 114 is electrically coupled to thecamera 102, communication interface 280 on the actuation table 114 maybe omitted, and all signals for actuating actuation table 114 bereceived from the VCU 104 though the camera 102. In a furtheralternative embodiment where actuation table 114 is electrically coupledto the camera 102, communication interface 240 on the camera 102 may beomitted, and all signals for the camera 102 may be received from the VCU104 though actuation table 114.

In embodiments not including an electrical coupling of actuation tableand camera 102, all signals from VCU 104 may go first to camera 102,which in turn forwards the signals to actuation table 114, via thevarious communications interfaces. Similarly, in embodiments notincluding an electrical coupling of actuation table and camera 102, allsignals from VCU 104 may go first to actuation table 114, which in turnforwards the signals to camera 102, via the various communicationsinterfaces.

It is understood that actuation table 114 may be omitted in alternativeembodiments.

The VCU 104 may have a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations,including a display and one or more actuators for framing the field ofview of an image, actuating the camera shutter, and/or performing avariety of other camera functions. VCU 104 need not be hand-held inembodiments. It may have straps and attach to a wearer's wrist, head,waist, other body parts or otherwise as an appurtenance to the wearer'sbody.

In operation, the VCU 104 may be held by a subject in the field of viewof the camera 102, as shown in FIG. 1, and the VCU 104 operated to framethe camera field of view as desired (left/right pan, up/down pan, in/outzoom). Once the proper field of view is established, the subject mayhide the VCU 104 or place the VCU in a pocket, or otherwise out of thefield of view of the camera 102 so that the VCU 104 does not appear inthe photo. A preset or user-configurable time delay may be provided sothat a picture is taken a predetermined period of time after button 118on VCU 104 is pressed. Thus, the subject would have time to locate theVCU 104 out of the field of view. The time delay may be set by the userinterface 248 on the VCU 104 and/or on the user interface 220 on thecamera 102. The time delay may be omitted in alternative embodiments,and the picture taken immediately upon actuation of button 118.

In an alternative embodiment, the VCU 104 may be held and operated by anoperator who is not to be in the picture. The VCU 104 may be used forexample by a photographer lining up and setting the scene of aphotograph. Thus, the photographer need not walk back and forth betweenthe subjects/subject matter of the photo and the viewfinder behind thecamera.

Moreover, the present invention may be used to obtain a view from acamera not otherwise obtainable if the camera needed to be positioned ata location where the user needed see the view either through theviewfinder or on the camera LCD. That is, in conventional cameras, toobtain an image with a desired contents, the camera needs to bepositioned somewhere where the user can look through the view finder orlook at the LCD display. However, through the present invention, thecamera may be held high with one hand, or placed on top of a wall, orotherwise positioned somewhere where the user cannot look through theview finder or look at the camera LCD display, and the VCU held andoperated in the other hand.

The VCU 104 may cooperate with camera 102 in a variety of uses inalternative embodiments. The camera 102 may be positioned in anunobtrusive or hidden position, and then operated with VCU 104. A cameramay be positioned somewhere not otherwise accessible to an operator(such as for example at off-limits to sporting, political and celebrityevents), and operated with VCU 104 by an operator.

In embodiments described above, the VCU 104 may be a dedicated componentfor the use and operation described above. In a further embodimentdescribed with respect to FIGS. 10-16, VCU 104 may in fact be aconventional device configured to operate in accordance with theprincipals of the present invention. For example, a mobile telephone orother computing device such as a computer or PDA may be loaded withsoftware and/or hardware allowing the device to perform as a view andcontrol unit having all of the functionality of VCU 104 described above.In a further alternative embodiment, another digital camera may beloaded with software and/or hardware to provide the second camera with amode where the second camera acts not as a picture taking device, but asa VCU as described above. Each of these devices may be conventionaldevices, but configured with hardware and/or software to provide a mode,referred to herein as VCU mode, where the device operates as a view andcontrol unit for a camera.

FIGS. 10 through 12 illustrate an embodiment where a mobile telephone300 is configured to operate as a view and control unit sending andreceiving signals to a camera 102 as described above. Telephone 300 mayhave a conventional hardware configuration and may operate to performall of the functions conventionally known for mobile telephones.Additionally, as explained hereinafter, a software application programand other software components may be loaded onto telephone 300 to allowthe telephone to act as a view and control unit in accordance with thepresent invention.

The components of a telephone 300 for use with the present invention areknown. However, some of the components are shown in the block diagram ofFIG. 12 and described hereinafter. FIG. 12 also shows a camera 102 andan actuation table 114, as described above, operating with telephone300. The signals transmitted to and from camera 102 and actuation table114 may be as described above.

Telephone 300 may include a processor 302, which may be part of orinclude a digital baseband and/or an analog baseband for handlingdigital and analog signals. As is known, processor 302 may include avariety of electronics for handling incoming and outgoing digital voiceand data signals.

RF Transceiver 306 and switch 308 are provided for receiving andtransmitting analog signals, such as an analog voice signal, via anantenna 310. In embodiments, transceiver 304 performs the quadraturemodulation and demodulation, as well as up- and down-conversion fromdual-band (800 and 1900 MHz) RF to baseband. The various communicationinterfaces described herein may include a transceiver and/or switch asin transceiver 306 and switch 308.

Telephone 300 may further include a user interface 312 including avariety of actuators in the form of buttons, dials, switches, etc. (anexample shown in FIG. 11) for controlling telephone features andoperation. When used in VCU mode, at least some of these buttons, dials,switches, etc. are assigned functions for controlling camera featuresand operation. In embodiments, the user interface may include buttons,dials, switches, etc. that are dedicated for use within VCU mode andserve no other function. The user interface 312 may include mechanismsfor controlling most or all manner of camera features and operations,some of which have been described above with respect to user interface248 on VCU 104.

Telephone 300 may further include memory 314, for storing telephonenumbers, address, etc. Memory 314 may additionally store photographic orvideo images taken with the telephone 300, or with camera 102 whentelephone 300 is operating in VCU mode. A variety of digital memoryformats may be used for this purpose. In one embodiment, memory 314 maybe a removable flash memory card, such as those manufactured by SanDiskCorporation of Sunnyvale, Calif. Formats for memory 314 include, but arenot limited to: built-in memory, Smart Media cards, Compact Flash cards,Memory Sticks, floppy disks, hard disks, and writeable CDs and DVDs.

Telephone 300 may further include a connection 316 for connectingtelephone 300 to another device. Connection 316 may be a USB connection,but it is understood that other types of connections may be provided,including serial, parallel, SCSI and an IEEE 1394 (“Firewire”)connections.

Telephone 300 may further include a camera 318 as is known in the art.Camera 318 may have some, all and/or additional components than thosedescribed above with respect to camera 102. In the embodiments describedwith respect to FIGS. 10 through 12, telephone 300 is acting as a viewand control unit for controlling a camera 102. However, as telephone 300itself has a camera, in a further embodiment, a mobile telephone 300 maybe used as a camera, which mobile telephone is controlled by a separateVCU 104. Instead of VCU 104 in such an embodiment, the telephone cameramay instead be controlled by a second telephone 300, or other processingdevice configured with a VCU mode according to embodiments of thepresent invention. As used herein, the term “camera” may thus include amobile telephone.

When telephone 300 is in its conventional camera mode, an image capturedby a lens in the telephone is forwarded to processor 302 (or to somededicated camera processor), which in turn displays that image on an LCDscreen 320 in the telephone. An LCD controller interface 322 may beprovided for receiving the signal from the processor 302 andinterpreting it for display on LCD 320. LCD 320 and LCD controller 322may be of known construction. The LCD controller interface 322 may bepart of processor 302 in embodiments.

Telephone 300 may include a speaker 330 of known construction forreproducing voice signals, as well as for outputting various ring tones,interactive voice menus and other stored or received audio files. Amicrophone 332 of known construction may further be provided forreceiving voice signals.

Telephone 300 may further include a communication interface 340 capableof wireless communication with communication interface 240 on camera 102and communication interface 280 on actuation table 114, via an antenna342. A conventional telephone 300 may include a communication interface340 operating according to various wireless protocols, includingBluetooth, RF and IR.

Actuation of various buttons, dials, etc. on telephone user interfaceshown in FIG. 11 (explained in greater detail below) generates signalsthat are sent to the digital processor 302, which in turn forwards thosesignals to image processor 200 in camera 102 via the communicationsinterfaces 340 and 240. Similarly, in embodiments operating with anactuation table 114, actuation of various buttons, dials, etc. ontelephone user interface shown in FIG. 11 generates signals that aresent to the digital processor, which in turn forwards those signals tothe drive controller(s) 270 in actuation table 114 via thecommunications interfaces 340 and 280.

Moreover, communications interface 340 may send and receivetransmissions to/from components other than camera 102 and actuationtable 114 in embodiments of the invention. For example, the telephone(when in VCU mode or otherwise) may communicate with a host computer totransfer data, such as photographic and video images, as well assoftware such as application programs, APIs, updates, patches, etc.Communications interface 340 may also be used to communicate with otherdevices, such as hand-held computing devices including hand-heldcomputers, PDAs, other mobile telephones, digital cameras and view andcontrol units 104 according to embodiments of the invention.Communications interface 340 may be used to connect telephone 300, andcamera 102, to a variety of networks, including local area networks(LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and the Internet.

Thus, in embodiments of the invention, a photographic or video image maybe taken with camera 102, and immediately thereafter sent via thetelephone 300 to a remote processing device, website, email account orother network location. Text may also be sent via the keypad of the userinterface 312.

It is understood that telephone 300 may have a variety of otherconfigurations and additional or alternative components in alternativeembodiments of the invention.

Configuring telephone 300 to include a VCU mode will now be explainedwith reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13. Using componentsconventionally provided in telephone 300, telephone 300 may beconfigured to include a VCU mode for communicating with and controllingcamera 102. In step 400, software enabling the VCU mode in telephone 300is loaded in telephone 300. The software may be loaded onto telephone300 by a variety of known methods. The software may be downloadedwirelessly via communication interface 340 or RF transceiver 306.Wireless downloading of software to telephone 300 is well known. Forexample, the software may be downloaded after the user dials an accesstelephone number. Software may alternatively be loaded from a storagemedium, for example via connection 316. As a further alternative, thesoftware may be programmed into ROM in the initial configuration oftelephone 300. The software may be stored in memory 314, or some othermemory associated with processor 302. As an alternative or in additionto loading software onto telephone 300, hardware such as an integratedcircuit chip may be loaded into telephone 300 to provide telephone 300with a VCU mode in accordance with the present invention.

Once the software and/or hardware are loaded onto telephone 300, nofurther configuration may be required to operate in VCU mode.Alternatively, the telephone may present a menu on the user interface312 giving the user various options for configuring the operation oftelephone 300 in VCU mode in step 402. Such configuration may allow theuser to select which keys perform the various functions of the VCU mode.A user may also be prompted in step 404 to enter the camera model aspart of the configuration process or thereafter. Certain aspects of thesoftware may be customized for different cameras. The camera model mayalso be asked for earlier in the process, such as before or during theloading of the software and/or hardware onto the telephone 300.

Once loaded, the software/hardware enables the VCU mode as explainedwith respect to FIG. 14. The software assigns a key on user interface312 for launching the VCU mode in step 410. Referring to an example oftelephone 300 shown in FIG. 11, a camera key 350 is conventionallyprovided to enter the telephone camera mode. The software/hardware mayconfigure telephone 300 such that pressing camera key 350 once entersthe telephone camera mode, but pressing the camera key 350 twice (or apredetermined number of times), launches the VCU mode. Other keys may beassigned to launch the VCU mode.

The software/hardware further assigns keys for sending signals to theactuation table 114 to pan left and right (step 412) and pan up and down(step 414) when in VCU mode. For example, the left/right and up/downarrows of circular key 352 may be used to accomplish the left/right andup/down actuation of actuation table 114 and camera 102. Other keyassignments are possible for performing these functions. Similarly, thesoftware assigns keys for sending signals to the camera 102 to zoom inand out (step 416) and for capturing an image (step 418). The softwarefurther configures menu items which may be presented when a menu in theVCU mode is selected. A variety of other key assignments may be made forperforming other camera functions in the VCU mode. It is understood thatthe assignment of keys when in VCU mode as described above may occurwhen the software/hardware is loaded onto telephone 300, or when the VCUmode is launched (though the assignment of the VCU mode launch key wouldneed to occur before VCU mode is launched).

Operation of telephone 300 will now be explained with respect to FIG.15. Those of skill in the art would appreciate that at least some of thesteps shown in FIG. 15 would also apply to operation of VCU 104described above. The normal mode, indicated by step 440, may be any ofthe various modes or functions telephone 300 may perform when not in VCUmode. These modes include conversing with others, sending text messages,accessing the Internet, accessing stored contact information, etc. Thesoftware first checks for launching of the VCU mode in step 442. If noVCU mode is detected, the software returns to step 440 and continues tooperate in normal mode.

If the VCU mode has been launched, the software determines whether imagesignals have been received from camera 102 in step 446. The processor302 may include an internal clock, and the software may have apredetermined period of time to detect an image signal from camera 102after launch of the VCU mode. If no signal is detected in step 446, andthe predetermined period of time has not yet expired in step 448, thesoftware returns to step 446 to see if a signal is detected. If nosignal is detected in step 446, and the predetermined period of time hasexpired in step 448, the software displays a message in step 450, forexample on LCD 320, that no camera has been detected. The software thenreturns telephone 300 to normal operation in step 440.

If the software detects receipt of the image signal in step 446, thesoftware assigns the various key functions for VCU mode in step 452. Ifthe assignments are already made, the assignments are enabled in step452. In step 454, the digital processor switches the image feed suppliedto LCD 320 from the telephone camera to the image signal received fromcamera 102. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, the telephone LCD 320 woulddisplay the image seen by camera 102. In step 456, the software thenperforms the one or more functions selected by the user for controllingcamera 102 and taking a picture with camera 102 as described above. Instep 460, the software checks whether telephone 300 is still being usedin VCU mode. If not, the software returns to normal mode (step 440).Otherwise, the software continues to display the image feed from camera102 (step 454) and performs additional VCU mode functions selected by auser (step 456).

One embodiment of a telephone 300 for performing according to thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 10 through 12. However, it isunderstood that any number of other devices may be used for viewing animage seen by camera 102 and for controlling the image. Such devices mayinclude a communications interface (wireless or otherwise) and a methodfor displaying an image seen by the camera. FIG. 16 is an illustrationof a camera 102 connected to a variety of devices, including telephone300, PDA (or hand-held computer) 470, laptop computer 472, desktopcomputer 474, another camera 476 and tablet computer 478. Inembodiments, the camera 102 would be connected to one of these devices.However, in alternative embodiments, the camera 102 may be connected totwo or more of the devices shown in FIG. 16, or multiple ones of thedevices shown in FIG. 16. Other devices are contemplated. When camera102 is connected to a second camera 476 capable of operating in VCUmode, the second camera 476 may be the same as or different than thecamera 102. When the same, the operation of camera 476 in VCU mode maybe the same as normal operation of the camera 476, except that operationof the various features of camera 476 controls operation of the variouscorresponding functions in camera 102.

Although the invention has been described in detail herein, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereindisclosed. Various changes, substitutions and modifications may be madethereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as described and defined by the claims to beadded hereinafter.

1. A mobile telephone, comprising: a processor capable of controlling atleast one function of a camera separate from the mobile telephone via awireless protocol including one of the Bluetooth, Wireless USB, 802.11,short range radio frequency and infrared wireless protocols.
 2. A mobiletelephone as recited in claim 1, further comprising a display capable ofdisplaying an image generated by the camera separate from the mobiletelephone.
 3. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 2, wherein themobile telephone receives the image generated by the camera via awireless communications interface.
 4. A mobile telephone as recited inclaim 3, the mobile telephone further capable of sending one or moresignals for repositioning a field of view of the camera.
 5. A mobiletelephone as recited in claim 1, wherein a key on the mobile telephoneis capable of performing first and second functions, one of the firstand second functions being a function of the at least one function ofthe camera separate from the mobile telephone.
 6. A mobile telephone asrecited in claim 1, wherein the at least one function includes at leastone of zooming the camera lens in and out, actuating a shutter on acamera to capture an image received in the camera and focusing thecamera.
 7. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 2, further comprisingmemory for storing the image received from the camera.
 8. A mobiletelephone as recited in claim 2, further comprising a communicationsinterface capable of forwarding the image received from the camera to aremote location.
 9. A mobile telephone, comprising: a processor capableof controlling a field of view of a camera separate from the mobiletelephone via a short range wireless protocol including one of theBluetooth, Wireless USB, 802.11, short range radio frequency andinfrared wireless protocols; and a display for at least in partdisplaying an image within the field of view of the camera separate fromthe mobile telephone.
 10. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 9,wherein the processor is further capable of controlling at least onefunction of the camera.
 11. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 10,wherein an actuator on the mobile telephone is capable of initiatingfirst and second functions, the first function being a function of themobile telephone, and the second function being a function of thecamera.
 12. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 10, wherein the atleast one function includes at least one of zooming the camera lens inand out, actuating a shutter on a camera to capture an image received inthe camera and focusing the camera.
 13. A mobile telephone as recited inclaim 9, further comprising memory for storing the image received fromthe camera.
 14. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 9, furthercomprising a communications interface capable of forwarding the imagereceived from the camera to a remote location.
 15. A hand-held devicecapable of controlling a camera separate from the hand-held device,comprising: a processor capable of: i) receiving, via a short rangewireless signal, an image signal from the camera relating to an imagereceived within a lens of the camera, ii) communicating, via a shortrange wireless signal, a first instruction to the camera to change animage generated by the camera, and iii) communicating, via a short rangewireless signal, a second instruction to the camera to actuate a shutterin the camera to capture an image displayed on the display; and adisplay capable of displaying at least a portion of the image receivedwithin the lens of the camera.
 16. A hand-held device as recited inclaim 15, the hand-held device being a device dedicated to controllingthe camera.
 17. A hand-held device as recited in claim 15, the hand-helddevice being one of a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, ahand-held computer and a second camera.
 18. A system for capturing astill image, consisting essentially of: a mobile telephone; a camera,the mobile telephone controlling a) the panning up, down, left and rightof a field of view of the camera, b) a zooming in and out of the fieldof view of the camera, and c) the capturing of a still image by thecamera; and a short range communication network between the mobiletelephone and camera allowing the mobile phone to control the camera.19. The system of claim 18, wherein the mobile telephone has a displaycapable of displaying the field of view of the camera.
 20. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the mobile telephone has a processor for executingsoftware loaded into the mobile telephone for controlling the camera.